Forensic Ledger

Unmarried Co-Owner Home Equity & Separation Workbench

Equitable down payment tracing, dynamic mortgage contribution accounting & buyout feasibility
Scenario Presets:
Current Property Value
$535,000
Mortgage Payoff
$358,000
Gross Equity
$177,000
Net Equity (After 6% Costs)
$144,900
Property & Contribution Matrix Direct Inputs
Current Market Valuation $535,000
Remaining Mortgage Balance $358,000
Initial Down Payment $45,000
Down Payment Source (Partner A Share) 100% Partner A ($45,000)
Total Ownership Duration 36 Months (3.0 Yrs)
Monthly Carrying Cost (Mortgage + HOA + Utils) $2,850/mo
Partner A Full-Pay Months 18 Months ($51,300)
Partner B Full-Pay Months 18 Months ($51,300)
Partner A Cumulative In
$96,300
Down: $45,000 + Bills: $51,300
Partner B Cumulative In
$51,300
Down: $0 + Bills: $51,300
Equity Allocation Philosophies Select Active Model
Equitable Restitution

Down Payment Return + 50/50 Split

Original capital returned off the top to who funded it, remaining net appreciation split 50/50.

Partner A Net Payout $94,950
Partner B Net Payout $49,950
True Cash Pro-Rata

Pro-Rata Contribution

Net equity distributed strictly based on cumulative dollar contributions (Down Payment + Carrying Costs).

Partner A Net Payout $105,820
Partner B Net Payout $39,080
Deed Default

50 / 50 Legal Title Split

Presumes gift of equity or equal joint tenancy regardless of who provided initial cash or carried bills.

Partner A Net Payout $72,450
Partner B Net Payout $72,450
Active Settlement Basis: Model 1 (Down Payment Reimbursement + 50/50 Net Appreciation) yields $94,950 to Partner A and $49,950 to Partner B on a $144,900 net partition basis.
Partner B Buyout Cash Required (To Pay Partner A)
$94,950
New Refinance Loan Amount (Payoff + Equity)
$452,950
Estimated New Monthly P&I (At 6.875% 30-Yr Fixed)
$2,974 / mo
Partner B Solo Income & DTI Analysis
Gross Monthly: $7,400
Front-End Housing DTI: 40.2% (Conventional limit typically ≤ 45%)
Status: Feasible with Approved Underwriting

Why Divorce Rules Don't Apply

Unmarried couples are treated under real property partition and contract law rather than family court equitable distribution statutes. Without a cohabitation agreement, courts default to deeds unless tracing evidence proves intent.

Tracing Down Payment Capital

When one partner scrapes together 100% of the initial capital ($45k in the Las Vegas case), equity restitution models credit that initial principal back before dividing market appreciation.

Carrying Cost Shift Forensics

Job losses or career transitions often result in one partner carrying all bills for extended periods. Tracking total cumulative cash-in preserves transparency and avoids bitter post-separation disputes.

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